The men and women of our nation’s Armed Forces make huge sacrifices in service to our country, including sacrifices to their health. This Veteran’s Day, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) would like to thank veterans for their service and remind them that doctors of chiropractic who work with VA medical centers across the country are available to help restore their health and wellness. Members of the military serve in austere conditions and routinely wear gear weighing up to 80 pounds. A February 2010 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) report cites “diseases of Musculoskeletal System/Connective System” such as back pain as the No. 1 ailment of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans accessing VA treatment. Doctors of chiropractic are experts in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal problems and their natural approach can eliminate or reduce the need for drugs and surgery in some cases. ACA has worked diligently over the years to ensure that America’s veterans have access to chiropractic services. Today, more than 30 VA treatment facilities in the United States offer chiropractic care. VA health care providers can also refer veterans to doctors of chiropractic in their local communities. “America’s heroes simply do not have to suffer in silence with the common neuromusculoskeletal ailments associated with their service,’” says ACA President Dr. Rick McMichael. “This is one time when they do not have to ‘tough it out.’ It is the chiropractic profession’s honor to be a part of the health care system that treats our veterans. We are here to serve them.”

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

A new study comparing chiropractic spinal manipulation versus microdiskectomy in patients with sciatica (pain running down the leg) as a result of lower back disk herniation was published recently indicating the effectiveness of chiropractic care. Patients included in this study had already failed to respond positively to at least 3 months of non-operative management including treatment with analgesics, lifestyle modification, physiotherapy, massage therapy, and/or acupuncture. Patients were randomly assigned to either the chiropractic spinal manipulation group (the most common specialized procedure used by doctors of chiropractic) or the microdiskectomy group where patients received microdiskectomy surgery. The results indicated that 60 percent of patients with sciatica (NOTE: they had already failed other medical management) benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention. Thus, it makes sense for those suffering from lower back (lumbar) disk herniation even with sciatica to strongly consider chiropractic care even if other forms of care have been unsuccessful – at least prior to going under the knife, so to speak.

Researchers have recently found omega-3 fatty acids may actually lower the risk of gum disease. This finding came after studying data of more than 9,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 1999 and 2004. Omega-3 fatty acids are primarily found in fish oils and have a number of healthy benefits including their ability to significantly reduce harmful inflammation in the body. The data indicated that the top one third of participants in the survey in terms of those who consumed the most omega-3s in their diets had an approximately 22 percent reduction in their likelihood of developing gum disease, as compared with the bottom one third. While more research is needed, this is more positive news for the consumption of higher quantities of omega-3 fatty acids and thus, more reason to eat foods high in omega-3s (primarily fish) as well as consider a quality omega-3 supplement.

Author: ChiroPlanet.comSource: Journal of the American Dietetic Association, November 2010.Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2010